Being quite different from any other temples seen so far, our guide explained to us that this temple marked a turning point in the architecture of Ancient Egypt and was considered the closest Egypt ever came to classical architecture.

As we walked towards it, the magnitude of its size could now be felt making me feel so small standing next to it. It was built in 1450 BC with limestone and not sandstone like most of the other temples. The great Queen Hatshepsut herself, the only woman to rule Egypt in the Pharaonic history had it built.

After our tour with our guide was completed, Michel and I proceeded to explore more in depth the temple which had three impressive terraces. The columns around the upper terrace were decorated with statues of Hatshepsut represented as a male king with a beard, a symbol of her pharaonic power. Unfortunately, most were destroyed after her mysterious death. One can only imagine.